10 Things I Travel With As A Neurodivergent Person

Hello fellow travelers! Like everyone who travels, I have things that are absolute musts when I go somewhere. I am also neurodivergent, which throws a wrench into things, so here are 10 things I always travel with as a neurodivergent traveler.

Apple AirPods Max

I got my Apple AirPods Max a couple of months ago, and they are magical. You can toggle the audio settings on your phone (you can toggle on transparency, so you can hear outside noise through the headphones, or you can toggle on noise cancellation). They are the only headphones I can tolerate, as the part that goes over your head isn’t heavy at all.

Apple AirPods

I have the Apple AirPods (3rd generation), and like the Apple AirPods Max, I use them to block out noise and listen to music or videos. My Apple AirPods actually serve as a backup in case my AirPods Max run out of battery.

Power bank

I always need a power bank when traveling because I love to take photos on my phone and record as well. That’s why I always travel with a good power bank which can last for hours. My power bank is from Anker, but there are a lot of good power banks on Amazon.

Macbook/iPad

Depending on how long I am going away, I will either bring my MacBook or my iPad, or even both if I’m going on a long haul flight. I love the portability of the MacBook Pro. I don’t even need to use it on internet, since my main use for it is either looking up something in a hotel, or editing photos on a plane. For my iPad, I download offline games on it if I am flying somewhere and play, or I download a bunch of Youtube videos to watch on the way to my destination or back home.

Hand sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is a must for me, especially if I am about to eat and there is no public bathroom available. I love using spray sanitizers such as the ones from Noshinku or Touchland because they evaporate quicker than traditional liquid sanitizer. I also find that some liquid sanitizers can leave a gross sticky feeling as well.

Sunflower Lanyard

I don’t take this traveling often, but I have started to stash it away in my bags just in case someone questions my behavior. I am autistic and also have ADHD, so sometimes I behave in strange ways. I get anxious when a stranger talks to me, especially if they are an authority figure. The sunflower lanyard really helps in disclosing my invisible disabilities (autism, ADHD, anxiety, and depression) to other people. The sunflower is also the internationally recognized sign of hidden disabilities.

Perfume

I always take a small bottle of perfume when I go traveling. Not only does it make me smell good, it’s also helpful for when someone lets one rip on a mode of transportation, or if something smells really bad. All you have to do is spritz a little into a paper towel or a handkerchief and hold it up to your face.

Earplugs

I like bringing earplugs when traveling, because I never know what is going to be too loud. As an autistic person, all my senses are essentially working overtime, so that means sometimes things can be too bright. Other times, things can be too loud. I love my Loop Engage earplugs because I can wear them outside and I can still hear outdoor noises, but at a deafened level.

Bubble fidget toy/slime

I always bring a small bubble fidget toy with me when I travel. When I am not doing anything with my hands, I tend to pick at my nails, which is not a good habit to have. I also have a preference to slime, because slime feels nice as well.

Plush keychain

The last thing I take with me when traveling is a small plush keychain. I always like having one because I can squeeze it when I am stressed, and it helps me identify my bag if there is another person who has a similar or the exact same model of bag I do.

What things do you travel with?

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